Fated to the Werewolf King novel Chapter 19

She looked at the poster that Erica taped on the wall behind their table. The large golden dragon staring down a lone woman fighter. Her fingers touched the woman's back, trying to borrow the strength she had. Tomorrow was the day. Jasper would meet his end, but the strength she yearned for from the fictional character didn't come. Instead, there was a growl in her mind. A familiar warmth and his scent wafted through her being and she glanced around, but Jayce wasn't with her.

Mate.

The Wolf's voice spoke to her, his guttural tone bouncing off the walls of her mind. It startled her for a moment, for a second, believing Jasper was playing another trick on her. Electrical impulses bubbled through her veins, calming her nerves instantly, her sex quivering.

"How are you...?"

I bit you. You are ours. Forever.

He growled again, and Lily found Erica talking to the manager. The Wolf quieted after that, but it still left her heart a flutter. His Wolf claimed her again, deepening their bond.

"Oh, this is just adorable." A familiar voice disrupted her thoughts, and she peered over to see Penelope strolling in, her eyes taking in the streamers and balloons. Lily smiled when the woman approached her with open arms.

"Penelope, it's good to see you." Lily said as they embraced. Penelope smiled at her, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair.

"I got an S.O.S. from Jayce." She said to her. Lily looked over at Erica and the manager. She rolled up her sleeves to show off her scars. Penelope frowned instantly, turning her arms over as she examined them.

"He said you might help me with covering them up for tomorrow." Lily told her. Penelope tapped her chin with her manicured finger, studying the scars.

"I have a new line of foundation, but it's still in the trial stage." She pouted slightly. Lily felt the sliver of hope she had faded. "But I haven't tested it yet and this would be a wonderful opportunity." Penelope gave her an encouraging smile.

"Lily." Erica walked over, her eyes on Penelope.

"Erica, this is Penelope, Jayce's mother. Penelope, this is Erica. My best friend and my manager." She introduced. The women shook hands.

"It's a pleasure. May I ask what brand of eyeliner you are using?" Penelope asked, curiously. Erica raised a brow.

"Mystique." She replied. Penelope's smile grew more.

"I'm glad to know you like my line of work." She said. Erica's other brow shot up with the first.

"No way. You're that Penelope?" Erica asked, struggling to hold back her excitement. Lily stood by, feeling a little lost as the women conversed.

"I can't believe I'm meeting you in person." Erica beamed. Penelope giggled at her enthusiasm.

"Are you two available? I wanted to go look for an outfit for tomorrow. I can purchase an outfit for the both of you." She offered. Lily went to interject, but Erica looped her arm with hers.

"Absolutely!" she said.

"But Erica, what about...?" Lily protested.

"Most of it is done. We've been here all morning. Let's take a break." She recommended. Lily let out a sigh and smiled, following the women out.

Penelope's driver took them to a beautiful, and rather expensive, dress store in the city. It stood tall with pure white Roman style pillars that made it seem superior to the surrounding stores. A man in a suit opened the door for Penelope, inclining his head in respect to the woman. When they entered the building, it was like walking through Heaven's gates. Stairs spiraled to the second floor on both sides, the white marble floor stretching out before their eyes. They stationed a lounging area in the center with an open fire in the center. Men and women walked around wearing top dollar attire Lily had never seen before, nor could afford.

"I feel really out of place here." She mumbled, shrinking herself down as much as she dared. Erica had hearts in her eyes as she looked around. Past the lounging area was a red carpet with racks beyond racks of dresses, dress shirts, slacks, gowns, everything that you'd wear to proms, board meetings, weddings even. Each rack had a designated designer flagged above it, and Erica zoned in a specific rack that had strictly dark clothing on it.

"I figured they'd have your taste here, Erica." Penelope said as she walked up behind her. Erica was pulling clothes off without really looking at them, containing the drool that was clearly at the corner of her mouth.

"Changing room?" She asked eagerly. Penelope pointed further back and Erica took off. Lily sighed with exasperation.

"What's wrong, Lily?" Penelope asked worriedly, returning to her side. Her fingers brushed a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. It was just a tender thing to do, but it made Lily emotional instantly.

"I'm sorry. You've done so much for me and I don't know how to thank you." Lily said as she looked at all of her options. Penelope smiled at her, grabbing her hand and lead her over to a smaller sitting area in front of the changing rooms.

"It should be me that should thank you." She said, an apologetic smile on her pink glossy lips.

"Me?" Lily asked quizzically. A woman walked over with a tray holding two thin glasses of champagne. Penelope took both and passed one over to Lily.

"To be honest, I was searching for a Mate for Jayce by the time I came across your ad." Penelope stated, sipping her drink. "He's at a crucial time in his life right now, and I worried for him."

"What would've happened if he hadn't found a Mate?" Lily asked her as she sipped the champagne, taken aback by its sharp taste.

"Well," Penelope looked away uneasily, "He was supposed to find someone by the Winter Solstice, his thirtieth birthday. If he didn't, the royal council would intervene and cast him from his throne as the Werewolf King." Penelope told her. Lily frowned at her words. She watched Jayce from afar and up close. He was working so hard for his people. Wasn't that enough?

"But then I came across your ad. You explained your story to me and any personal need of mine to help was overlooked in order to help you." Penelope peered over her glass to Lily. Lily looked down at her drink, watching it bubble and fizz. She never knew how much was really on Jayce's shoulders. Maybe that's why he was the way he was. Why he slept with so many women? Trying to find that sacred soul link so his royal council could get off his back.